27th Annual Meeting of
Northeast Highland Cattle Association
The 2006 NEHCA Spring Meeting will be hosted this year by
Orchard Hill Farm in Woodland, Maine in the heart of Aroostook County, the
agricultural center of Maine on the weekend of June 9-11.
Situated nine miles northwest of Caribou, Woodland is part
of the historic Swedish Colony established in 1871 when hardy immigrants from
Sweden were brought in and given land grants. They came with great faith, work
ethic and homesteading skills. They cleared vast areas of the north woods and
established thriving farms and a strong culture that continues to flourish in
towns named New Sweden and Stockholm. Orchard Hill Farm is one of the original
grants of 160 acres. Aroostook County, the largest county east of the
Mississippi, formally known as a major potato growing area, now boasts a
diversified crop base including broccoli, soy and canola beans, as well as
oats, barley and, other grains. Highland cattle are not yet a large part of the
agricultural picture, but the potential is great. (We’ve never had a year
without grass!) Aside from farming, the area is well known as a four-season
recreational area. The many lakes and rivers are dotted with summer homes where
one can enjoy hunting, fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling. Please note – neither
of the last two activities is in the spring meeting plan.
The weekend will begin Friday with dinner for Directors and
spouses at Orchard Hill Farm hosted by Stan and Gail Maynard at 6:30 p.m.
followed by the Board meeting. On Saturday the general membership meeting will
be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center at 10:00, following a continental
breakfast and registration at 9:00. After the meeting there will be a
presentation of interest to Highland breeders. Following this, members and
guests are invited to Orchard Hill Farm for lunch and a farm tour. Stan and
Gail began raising highland cattle in 1992 with a fine pair of heifers from Val
and Connie Skov’s Roseacre Farm. The herd now numbers about 45 head. Current
herd sire is Edgewater Prince Harold, bred by Joan Wort of Keijoasan Fold in
Ontario. The farm tour will include speaker(s) – negotiations in progress. For
the evening, it’s back to the Caribou Inn for feasting, camaraderie and Celtic
entertainment.
Accommodations have been arranged at the Caribou Inn and
Convention Center, 19 Main St., Caribou, Maine 04736. For reservations, phone:
1 800 235-0466, 1 207 498-3733
On line: www.caribouinn.com or FAX 207 498-3149.
Special group room rates: double occupancy $68, to $74.
Please mention NEHCA and book early – its graduation, wedding and tourist
season.
Travel arrangements: Road access is very easy: get on I 95
at the Maine / New Hampshire border; left on U.S. 1 in Houlton (approx. 300
mi.) exit at Caribou Inn (approx. 60 mi.). From Caribou to Orchard Hill Farm,
see map. By air – Presque Isle Airport (11 mi. from Caribou Inn and 20 mi. from
OHF) full service connections from Boston; car rentals are available.
The Maynard’s look forward to seeing you.